Archive for December, 2005

The fabricated propaganda of the “destruction of Agadede – an Azerbaijani sanctuary in Armenia” was “criticized” by the Caucasian Muslim Department (CMA). The Muslim organization, according to www.muslimnews.co.uk , stated that the “sacrilege of Armenians will not stay unpunished.” CMA did not, nevertheless, specify how Armenians would be punished for “destroying ancient Muslim holy site Agadede.”

“Neither in Yerevan suburbs, nor in Masis settlement there has never been any Azeri sanctuary named Agadede,” reported head of Research of Armenian Architecture NGO Samvel Karapetyan… “The reports of the Azeri party on destruction of an Agadede sanctuary situated near Yerevan aim at misleading the international community and conceal the fact of barbaric destruction of Armenian Khachkars (headstones) at Old Julfa cemetery in Nakhichevan,” Karapetyan added, reported IA Regnum.

– from www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=15926

The allegations of the destruction of “Agadede” (a place that, Research on Armenian Architecture NGO says, never situated in the Republic of Armenia) were published in the Azerbaijani media right after the last remains of the ancient Armenian cemetery of Old Julfa (Hin Jugha) were destroyed by Azerbaijani soldiers in mid-December, 2005. The infamous demolition of Old Julfa’s last Christian remains was photographed and videotaped. Photographs are available at the Web site of the Catholicosate of Cilicia (http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Pictures109.htm). The video, taped by the Armenian Prelacy of Iran at the Iranian-Azerbaijani border, is available at www.azerivandalism.cjb.net; the same file (clearer view, but larger file) is also available at www.julfa.cjb.net.

Muslims protest against desecration of Muslim relic in Armenia

29-12-2005

Moscow, Regnum:

The Caucasian Muslim Department (CMD) expresses protest against destruction of ancient Muslim holy site Agadede and its cemetery, situated near Yerevan.

As the CMD informed Azeri-Pres, “this sacrilege of Armenians will not stay unpunished, the CMD expresses protest to the Armenian side and will ask international organizations to investigate this case of relic destruction.”

The ridiculous fabrication of “the destruction of Agadede” uses the common denial technique of “we did it – but you did it too.” The Azerbaijani government once again does not desire to stop and, needless to say, accept its vandalistic policy of eliminating the Armenian memory.

Iran’s president Ahamadinejad created a political tsunami when he stated that the Holocaust was a “myth”. Not a single shore around the world was left immune. Tragically, the epicenter, Iran, is beginning to receive the worst aftershocks imaginable. As the international community reacts to Ahmadinejad’s outrageous rhetoric, they are making plans to embark on punitive measures against the innocent Iranian people – Sanctions and military strike have become common talk – losing site of the real victims, the Iranians.

Of course the Holocaust was not a myth. Humanity must never forget nor repeat its dark history. However, it does beg the question where is the outrage over the Armenian genocide? Why is humanity so mute in light of the Darfur genocide and why are we not stopping it? Surely that is no “myth”. Humanity cannot be selective in its denial of genocide. History is unforgiving.

But back to “myths”, here is another…

The United States is not the world’s superpower. Israel is. The US is at the command of Israel, or at least its foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East is; especially in light of Iran, its regime, and its nuclear program, which AIPAC has insisted that the Bush administration is not doing enough to stop and destroy. As the Christian Coalition president Roberta Combs stated: “Our Heart is with Israel”, and as such, “It is very important for people of faith to know where our legislators stand on support for Israel.” One need only be reminded of the Christian coalition behind President Bush in 2004 to draw the line…

However, life dictates that we dispense with myths and deal with reality.

Maybe Ahmadinejad just wants to be the hero of another war. It may be that it is easier for the US to drop phosphorous on Iraqis than to stop the genocide in Darfur. Perhaps it is convenient to deny the Armenian genocide…

Despite the existence of photographs and videotapes testifying to the recent destruction of the Christian headstones in Nakhichevan, Azerbaijani officials are “dismissing” the “Armenian claims.”

BakuToday, an Azerbaijani newspaper, reports on 27 December 2005, “Azeri officials have dismissed Armenians’ claims on the alleged destruction of Armenian graves at an old cemetery of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, saying that these statements simply target misleading the international community.”

The common denialist tactic of “we did it – but you did it too” is in use again with fabricated stories

The “Armenian claims” are video and photo documents showing Azerbaijani soldiers destroying the ancient Christian headstones of Old Julfa (Hin Jugha) in Nakhichevan. Photographs from the mid-December (2005) destruction are available at the Web site of the Catholicosate of Cilicia (http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Pictures109.htm). The video, taped by the Armenian Prelacy of Iran at the Iranian-Azerbaijani border, is available at www.azerivandalism.cjb.net (smaller file); the same file (clearer view, but larger file) is available at www.julfa.cjb.net.

The eyewitness reports and documents brought to our attention indicate that on December 15, 2005 some 100 Azerbaijani soldiers, armed with heavy equipment, broke into the Old Jugha ( Julfa ) Cemetery, and engaged in barbaric destruction of its centuries-old Armenian khachkars ( headstones ).

The old Cemetery of Julfa is known to specialists to have housed as many as 10,000 of these intricately carved khachkar headstones, up to 2,000 of which were still intact after an earlier outbreak of vandalism on the same site in 2002. Eyewitness accounts of the ongoing demolition indicate at the organized nature of the operation, qualifying it as cleansing.

– from the letter of the U.S. Congressmen to the Azerbaijani Ambassador

The Azerbaijani officials did not respond to the destruction until two U.S. Congressmen, Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone, Jr., sent a letter to Ambassador Pashayev of Azerbaijan on 22 December 2005. The letter urged the Azerbaijani government “to halt the ongoing vandalism in Julfa’s Old Cemetery immediately.”

The Azerbaijani government, nevertheless, is not “simply” saying that the last remains of the ancient Armenian cemetery of Old Julfa were not destroyed. The common denialist tactic of “we did it – but you did it too” is in use again with fabricated stories: on 26 December 2005, as PanArmenian.net informs, “Azeri media reported alleged destruction of an over one thousand years old [Azerbaijani] Agadede sanctuary 10 km away from Yerevan [in Armenia].” By Simon Maghakyan

Back in 1998, genocide scholar Katherine Bischoping said: “The future of Holocaust denial may be foreshadowed by the persistent denial of the Armenian genocide.”

While the Republic of Turkey denies the Armenian genocide and calls for a “joint commission” to investigate the “events,” another Muslim country steps in to establish “int'l committee to clarify Holocaust.”

Haaretz reports, “An Iranian official on Friday called for the establishment of a committee to clarify the real extent of the Holocaust, the news agency Fars reported.”

A Turkish Terrorist Group, Called Akhaltsikhe Liberation Brigade (ALB), Has Threatened the Armenians of Georgia with Genocide Again

ALB has issued a video to distribute among the Armenians and Russians of Georgia. PanArmenian.net describes the video, "Four members of the Brigade against a background of Turkish flag have read an address to the Armenians and Russians residing in the town of Akhaltsikhe of the Armenian-populated Samtskhe Javakhetia region of Georgia. The address maintains the demand to Armenians and Russians to leave Akhaltsikhe immediately and go to Armenia, Russia or America otherwise the brigade members will eliminate the Armenian population of the region. 'All who stand in our way will die. We will not allow mentioning of you here. The land of Akhaltsikhe will become ours soon. All who don’t hear us now will regret they were born. Leave your property for us and run. You and your ancestors should remember the year of 1915 (the Armenian Genocide). Russians will not help you. Their time is up on our land. We have warned you, this is our last warning. Go and live or stay and die,' the address says. After reading the address, the brigade members shouting out Allah Akbar burnt the flags of Armenia, Russia and the U.S."

Earlier, on 12 October 2005, the same group posted leaflets calling upon Armenians to live their homes in Georgia, “Otherwise you will be subjected to Genocide like your ancestors in 1915."

One of the main regions of Georgia, Javakhk (Javakheti), is populated by Armenians and has been part of historic Armenia.

The leaflet in Russian

(Translation from Russian)

Time for Revenge has ArrivedArmenians of Akhaltsikhe! We are coming! Whoever stands up against us will die! For thousands of years you are poisoning the air of our lands. Get the hell out of our land to your Armenia, Russia, America – wherever you want. We will not tolerate here even a memory about you. Do not try to stand up against the will of the all-mighty [Allah]. Soon, the land of Akhaltsikhe will again be ours; who does not listen to this now will regret they were born. Disloyal dogs, leave property to us and run away fast: your ancestors remember 1915 [the genocide].Russians will not help you; their presence in our land is also timed; their sold hyenas, Armenians, you also get the hell out of here! Know that the time of paying for our insulsts is close: [so] hurry up and do not be mistaken! Go and live, or stay and die.

Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent a joint letter to Ambassador Pashayev of Azerbaijan expressing their concern over the reported destruction of Armenian monuments in the medieval cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan of the Azerbaijan Republic on December 15, 2005.

As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, we are writing to express our grave concern and indignation regarding the reported destruction of the historically and architecturally significant Armenian monuments in the medieval cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan of the Azerbaijan Republic.

The eyewitness reports and documents brought to our attention indicate that on December 15, 2005 some 100 Azerbaijani soldiers, armed with heavy equipment, broke into the Old Jugha ( Julfa ) Cemetery, and engaged in barbaric destruction of its centuries-old Armenian khachkars ( headstones ).

The old Cemetery of Julfa is known to specialists to have housed as many as 10,000 of these intricately carved khachkar headstones, up to 2,000 of which were still intact after an earlier outbreak of vandalism on the same site in 2002. Eyewitness accounts of the ongoing demolition indicate at the organized nature of the operation, qualifying it as cleansing.

Azerbaijan, as a member of the international community, has national responsibilities within the United Nations, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other relevant international frameworks to preserve the cultural and historical heritage in its custody. Persistent vandalism in Azerbaijan against monuments representing our common cultural heritage advises us and the international community concerned on your Government’s deliberate ignorance of its responsibilities in that regard. Such practice runs against the basic norms of civilized conduct of nations, and undermines the US and international efforts toward achieving greater stability and security in the region.

We therefore urge your Government to halt the ongoing vandalism in Julfa’s Old Cemetery immediately. We further urge the preparation and presentation of a documented report on the damage caused to the architectural ensemble as a result of the latest violence, to lead to measures in remedy of the situation. We also call upon your Government to cooperate with the international and expert community toward developing a program of action that would enhance the protection and preservation of this endangered treasure of world cultural heritage, and prevent the occurrence of any further violence.

We look forward to reviewing progress in this regard on a periodic basis.

Despite Undeniable Evidence, the World Continues to Ignore the Various Acts of Cultural Genocide Perpetrated Against the Oldest Christian Civilization

The destruction of the Armenian stone crosses (khachkars) by the Azerbaijani government has been ignored by the international community. A few days ago, a group of 200 Azerbaijani soldiers destroyed the remnants, of the few surviving architectural treasures of Old Jougha, a 400-year-old Armenian cemetery located in Nakhichevan (now, a part of Azerbaijan). Back in 1648, some 10,000 khachkars at the 1,600 square meter site of the Old Jugha cemetery were recorded, many as old as the 8th century. Thousands of Armenian graves were destroyed here in 2002 by the Azerbaijani government, vandalism which was ignored by the world.

In recent decades, Armenian culture has undergone an array of vandalism, yielding an immunity, which the world has developed as a response. Nearly every successive day, an act of cultural genocide against the Armenian civilization occurs in the neighboring countries of Armenia, excluding Iran. Armenian churches and stone crosses suddenly “become” Georgian in Georgia; in Turkey, there is not much left to destroy (over 2000 churches and cathedrals were ruined during the Armenian genocide in 1915), but a few surviving monuments are still being converted to Mosques or to secular buildings; in Azerbaijan, the Armenian monuments are either being wiped out or becoming “Albanian,"; let alone Russia, where Armenian cemeteries are being desecrated.

Many acts of cultural genocide against the Armenian culture have been documented, but now the world has a video to look at: A “hot action” that displays Azerbaijani soldiers erasing the last memories of the Armenian past in Nakhichevan.

www.Blogian.cjb.net is watching the latest developments on the cultural genocide against the Armenian heritage in Nakhichevan.

www.Blogian.cjb.net has made it possible to download the 30-second documentary showing the recent destruction of the Christian monuments in Azerbaijan.

Haylur broadcasted on 16 December 2005 a video, which shows Azerbaijani soldiers destroying Armenian stone-crosses in Old Jougha (at the Azerbaijani-Iranian border). The video, provided by the Armenian prelacy in Iran, reveals the attempt of the Azerbaijani government to erase every trace of the Armenian memory in Nakhichevan, a historic Armenian region that was annexed to Soviet Azerbaijan by Russian dictator J. Stalin’s order.

“Almost 100 Azerbaijani servicemen penetrated the Armenian cemetery near Nakhichevan at the bank of the Araks [Aras] River and using sledgehammers and other tools, began to crush Armenian graves and crosses, that were saved by a miracle in the attacks of 2002,” the Armenian prelacy told Regnum, a Russian news agency.

Old Jougha was a famous Armenian cemetery with hundreds of years old stone-crosses (khachkars). The cemetery included tens of thousands of stone-crosses, each of them a unique architectural monument. A few years ago the Azerbaijani government destroyed most of the Armenian monuments of Old Jougha, but stopped the vandalism after UNESCO’s protest. As of now, no international organization has protested the recent vandalism.

www.Blogian.cjb.net, a Blog network based at www.Hayastan.com, has received the video reportage from the Armenian prelacy of Iran, and has made it possible for Internet users to download it. In order to download the 30-second video showing the destruction, go to http://azerivandalism.cjb.net/ and click on “Click here to download file "14dec2005.wpl.”

AP describes, "A tree rises above the Noravank Canyon, which is rich with rare flora, fruits, springs and different animals, in southern Armenia, Friday, Dec. 16, 2005. The canyon is well known because of its ancient Noravank monastery complex."